Gonzaga joins Pac-12: The conference needs another football member as Zags leave the WCC

Gonzaga announced Tuesday that it is leaving the WCC and becoming a member of the new-look Pac-12 starting in 2026. The Zags, who have been one of the most successful men's basketball programs in recent years, do not have a football program. but will give the Pac-12 eight members in basketball.

The Pac-12 has seven members in football, with Boise State, Colorado State, Fresno State, San Diego State and Utah State announcing last month that they would be leaving the Mountain West to join the Pac-12. In order to reach the minimum of eight members and qualify as an official FBS conference, the conference requires another school that is involved in football.

“We are excited to welcome Gonzaga to the Pac-12 as they embark on this incredible journey with us,” Pac-12 commissioner Teresa Gould said in a statement.

While Oregon State and Washington State remained in the Pac-12 because they were left out in the first round of conference realignment, which saw Cal and Stanford move to the ACC; With Oregon, UCLA, USC and Washington heading to the Big Ten and Arizona, Arizona State, Colorado and Utah leaving for the Big 12, the door was left open for the Pac-12 to be rebuilt from the ground up.

From a college basketball perspective, the additions of some of the Mountain West's top programs — which were considered the sport's most exciting mid-major league last season — give the Pac-12 a launching pad to rebuild. Gonzaga's addition is all the more notable given the success the program has had over the past two decades.

The Bulldogs have appeared in the NCAA Tournament every season since the 1998-99 season, reaching the second weekend of the tournament nine consecutive years. Gonzaga last reached the Final Four in 2021 before falling to Baylor in the national title game.

As for the other four members, Boise State, Colorado State and San Diego State all reached the NCAA Tournament last season, and the MWC has recently enjoyed success in the NCAA Tournament, most notably San Diego reaching the Final Four State in 2023.

What the Pac-12 will look like in 2026

Oregon State
Washington state
Boise State
Colorado State
Fresno State
San Diego State
State of Utah
Gonzaga (not football)